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At least someone’s been getting jobs under Labour! No10 ‘special adviser’ numbers jumped by a QUARTER in Starmer’s final year – as Government smashed records
The article reports that the number of special advisers working in No 10 increased by around a quarter during Keir Starmer’s final year, while the wider Government employed record numbers of these political appointees. It presents the rise as notable amid criticism of Labour’s employment record and public-sector staffing.
Special advisers are temporary, politically appointed staff who support ministers with policy, communications and political advice, rather than permanent civil servants. The reported increase applies both to Downing Street and across Government, though the article frames the figures as evidence of expanding political staffing under Labour.
In short
- No 10 special-adviser numbers reportedly rose by a quarter.
- Government-wide adviser staffing reached a record level.
- The figures have prompted criticism over political appointments.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Labour campaigned on fiscal responsibility and reducing wasteful spending. A 25% increase in special advisers during Starmer's final year, reaching record numbers across Government, represents an expansion of politically appointed overhead that appears inconsistent with the party's messaging on efficiency and public accountability. These temporary, politically-aligned positions suggest growing political apparatus rather than permanent capacity to deliver policy, raising legitimate questions about whether the expansion reflects genuine government needs or simply expanding political staffing costs.
The case against
Special advisers are a necessary and legitimate part of government machinery, providing ministers with political counsel and policy expertise essential for effective governance. An expanded adviser workforce may reasonably reflect increased complexity in government operations, broader policy agendas, or the coordination demands of managing multiple departments. These appointments are transparent and standard practice across all governments; their use does not inherently indicate waste, and having adequate qualified support for ministers can enhance government effectiveness and policy delivery.
Explained simply
Special advisers are temporary political staff appointed to advise ministers on policy, communications and political strategy. Unlike the permanent civil service, special advisers change with each new government.
The number of special advisers attracts scrutiny because these are political appointments funded by taxpayers. Questions about staffing levels often arise alongside broader discussion about Government spending and priorities.
Employment and staffing have been topics of scrutiny under Labour. Reports about special adviser numbers feed into wider conversation about how the Government spends money and how it operates.
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